5 Blacksmithing Projects For Beginners
By Kristin Arzt
Here, we will show you five different ideas for beginner projects in blacksmithing. Through forging in the smithy, blacksmiths are empowered to create all kinds of projects, from practical tools to ornamental objects. Each of these blacksmithing projects teaches you several basic techniques that every blacksmith uses. As a plus, you end up with a tool that you can use in your own home. These are the five projects that you will learn in The Crucible’s Blacksmithing I. Before you pick up the hammer, pick your favorite project below to get started.
Tools required for these 5 projects:
5 Beginner Blacksmithing Project Ideas
The five beginner blacksmithing projects are:
- Twist-forged bracelet
- Coat hook
- Forging a spoon
- Forging a fork
- Letter opener from rebar
Project 1: Twist-forged bracelet
Make your own simple, unique forged bracelet in the smithy using a steel bar and heat from your forge. A hand-forged bracelet is one of the easiest beginning blacksmithing projects. Forging the bracelet teaches you several basic techniques that every blacksmith uses, and offers a great introduction to the tools in the smithy. This is one of the first projects that you will learn in The Crucible’s Blacksmithing I.
Project 2: Coat hook
Making a hook is the first project in Blacksmithing I and helps students begin to develop their tapering, bending, twisting, and punching skills. These techniques are crucial in more advanced blacksmithing projects, and many faculty members in our Blacksmithing Department regularly practice making hook after hook, perfecting their form and technique during this quick, fun project!
Students have installed these hooks all over their houses and studios to hang coats, pots and pans, keys, oven mitts, jewelry, hats, and everything else you can imagine!
Project 3: Forging a spoon
Forging a spoon is a straightforward, but challenging blacksmithing projects for beginners. A blacksmith must use proper technique in order to successfully upset the metal and to create enough material to form the head of the spoon.
This is the final project you will learn in The Crucible’s Blacksmithing I course. You can attempt creating your own spoon, by following this step-by-step guide to forging a spoon.
Project 4: Forging a fork
A forged fork is a great project to get started with blacksmithing and make a practical utensil for your next barbeque while you’re at it. This is one of our favorite beginner blacksmithing projects, one of the four main projects taught in Blacksmithing I. Before you pick up the hammer, see the step-by-step below and get started forging your own fork from iron.
Project 5: Letter opener from rebar
Did you know that you can forge a letter opener from a simple piece of rebar? The forged letter opener is a fantastic project to get started with blacksmithing and to practice your skills making a small blade. As a bonus, you get to make a practical and attractive tool for all your letter opening needs. See the steps linked below to get started forging your own letter opener from rebar.
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